Contacting gases and solids in fluidized systems



JAHNIG counc'rmo GASES AND' soups IN A r uI mzian" sys'mu FilOd Jab. 28, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 +0 an .0 when: a o 2.

Charles Jahniq Unvenbor attorney c. E. JAHNIG Oct. 28, 1947.

CONTACTING GASES AND SOLIDS IN A FLUIDIZED SYSTEM 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 28. 1944 Snvzhtor Charles E. Jahnz'. q

df torneg catalyst is used.

Patented' on. 2a. 1941 s CONTACTING oasas mn'sonms IN rwmrzan SYSTEMS Charles E. minis,- Roselle, N. 1., minor to Standard Oil Development Company, a corporatlonof Delaware .Application January 23, 1944, Serial No. 520,028

2 Claims.. (cries-52y 1 This invention relates to contacting divided solid particles with fluids, and more particularly,

relates to catalytic reactions in which powdered The invention is especially useful in processes involving organic reactions where burnable material is deposited on the catalyst particles and the catalyst particles must be regenerated before being used over again. For example, in the catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons, coke or carbonaceous material is deposited on catalyst particles and the coke or carbonaceous material is removed by burning in a regeneration zone. In certain reactions, suchas the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons. the regeneration zone or vessel is much larger than the reaction zone or vessel and the regeneration vessel is supported at a high level. A large amount of structural steel is required for this purpose.

According to the present invention, two or more regeneration vessels are used through which the spent catalyst'passes in series or parallel. In this way the. size of the regeneration vessels is decreased so that they can be combined into a commontower with the reaction vessel. 13y including all of the vessels in one tower, there is a saving in structural steel. Various modifications are shown.

In addition, improved grid members or distribution plates are included for use in certain of the reaction and regeneration vessels.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 represents one form of the invention in which the catalyst particles overflow from one regeneration vessel to the other;

Fig. 2 represents another form of the invention in which regenerated catalyst particles are withdrawn from the bottom of the lower regeneration vessel;

Fig. 3 represents another form of the invention 2 gaseous fluid and/or gaseous fluid mixed with powdered material; and

Fig. 8 represents a vertical view. partly in crosssection, of the lower portion or a vessel with another form or distributing means used instead of a. grid.

, I Referring now to, the drawing, the reference character I0 designates a single housing in which are located a reaction vessel 82 and regeneration vessels It and [8. By providing two regeneration vessels, the size of the regeneration vessel is reduced and both regeneration vessels are placed in the same housing with the reaction vessel I2. The three vessels are of roughly the same diameter so that they can conveniently be supported one upon the other, but the diameters are not necessarily identical.

The reaction vessel I2 is shown as provided with divided catalyst or contact particles l8 having a level shown at 22. The solidvparticles are maintained in a dry fluidized condition by regulating the velocity of the vapors or gases passing upwardly through the mass of catalyst particles or contact particles, and in the dry fluidized condition the mass assumes many of the characteristics of aliquid. Y

Reactants which may be preheated vapors or a mixture 01' vapors and a liquid ar introduced through line 24 provided with nozzles 26 formtroducing the reactants into the body of the contact particles l8. Regenerated contact particles are introduced into the bottom of the rein which spent catalyst is passed to tworegengeneration vessel;

Fig. 5 represents an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lower portion of a vesselprovided with a grid member and sealing means therefor; Fig. 6 represents a vertical cross-section of the lower portion of a vessel provided'with another form of grid member;

Fig. 7 represents a vertical cross-section of the lower portion or a vessel in which the vessel is provided with a bottom draw-oil! and inlets for 00 ply at least part of the heat of conversion. Where the hydrocarbons are in liquid form, a suflicient amount of hot regenerated catalyst particles isused to vaporize the hydrocarbons and also to supply the heat of conversion. In the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons, any suitable catalysts may be used, such as acid-treated bentonites, synthetic silica alumina or synthetic silica magnesia' gels, etc. In other catalytic conversions of hydrocarbons, suitable catalysts may be used, such as reforming catalysts, isomeri'zing catalysts, etc. When using powdered catalyst the catalyst has a size of about 200 to 400 mesh or finer.

The vapors passing upwardly through the mass of catalyst particles maintains the catalyst particles in fluidized condition. In the catalytic cracking of hydrocarbons with powdered catalyst, the I iractionator bottoms comprise a slurry of rei'ractory oil and catalyst particles. The refractory oil is not a good cracking stock and if it is recycled to the reaction vessel, it forms a large amount of coke. In the drawing it will be noted that the pipe 28' containing the regenerated catalyst opens into the bottom of the reaction vessel 3 I2 below the level oi introduction of the fresh reactant being passed through line 24 and nozzles 20. The refractory oil slurry is preierably introduced through line 28 into the bottom portion of the reaction vessel I2 so that it first contacts the very hot regenerated catalyst before the catalyst is mixed with the fresh reactant.

In this way the refractory oil is cracked at ahigher temperature and less coke is deposited on the catalyst particles. If desired, the refractory oil slurry may be directly introduced into line 20 below the valve 32.

The vaporous reaction products leave the dense catalyst mixture I8 and are passed through separatlng means 34 which is shown in the drawing as a cyclone separator, but other separating means may be used. The vaporous reaction products contain entrained catalyst particles which are separated from the reaction product vapors in the separating means 34. The reaction product vapors still contain a small amount of entrained catalyst particles when they leave the separating means 34 and this small amount of catalyst is scrubbed out when the reaction products are passed through line 86 to a fractionating system (not shown) for recovering desired products.

The separated catalyst particles collect in the bottom of the separating means and are returned to the mass of catalyst particles I8 through line 38 which extends below the level 22 of the catalyst mixture in the reaction vessel I2.

The catalyst particles become fouled or spent by the deposition oi carbonaceous or burnable deposits on the catalyst particles and the activity of the catalyst particles is decreased. 'It is necessary to regenerate the catalyst particles by removing the carbonaceous deposits; For this purpose the reaction vessel I2 is provided with a partition 42 which extends across the bottom portion of the reaction vessel to form a well 44 from which spent catalyst is removed. The partition 42 extends up only for a relatively short distance, which is below the level 22 of the catalyst mixture in the reaction vessel I2.

- Stripping gas is introduced through line or lines 46 into the bottom of the well 44 for removing adsorbed or occluded reactionproducts or reactants from the catalyst particles. The catalyst particles in the well 44 are maintained in a fluidized condition.

The spent catalyst particles pass through valve 48 and then into line 52 where they are mixed with regenerating gas introduced through line 54 to form a less dense mixture. The relatively dense catalyst mixture shown at I8 in the reaction vessel l2 has a density of about 10 lbs./cu. ft. to 35 lbs./cu. it. when using powdered silica alumina gel as a catalyst. This fluidized mixture produces a hydrostatic pressure above valve 48 equivalent to a column extending from the valve 48 to the level 22. Also the reaction vessel I2 is under a slight superatmospheric pressure and this pressure, together with the hydrostatic pressure, is sufiicient to move the catalyst particles to the upper regeneration vessel iii.

The less dense mixture is passedthrough line 50 to the regeneration vessel I8 below the distribution plate or grid 58 therein. The distribution plate or grid member serves to-distribute the catalyst particles and regenerating gas across the area of the regeneration vessel. If desired, additional regenerating gas may be introduced through lines 62, 64, and along the length of the upilow line 58.

so that there is a fluidized mass of catalyst particles having a level 12 in the top regeneration vessel I0. A partition I4 is provided which extends across the housing I0 and forms one side of the top regeneration vessel I0. The sp ce I4 above the fluidized mass of catalyst 00 is an enlarged space for separating catalyst particles irom regeneration gases.

The partly regenerated catalyst particles overflow the top of the partition 14 as shown at II and pass to the lower regeneration vessel I4. The regeneration gases contain entrained catalyst particles, and to remove these particles, the regeneration gases are passed through a separating means 82 which is shown in the drawing as a cyclone separator,butother forms of separating means may be used. The separating means 02 is arranged in the upper portion of the housing N. The separated catalyst particles collect in the separating means and are returned to the body of catalyst mixture 08 through'return pipe 04 which dips below the level I2 01' the fluidized mixture of catalyst particles 88.

The regeneration gases leaving the separating means 82 through line 00 still contain entrained catalyst particles and the regeneration gases may be passed through additional separating means. For example, the regeneration gases may be passed through a heat exchange device for recovering heat and the cooled regeneration gases then pass through an electrostatic precipitator. The heat exchange device may comprise a waste heat boiler.

The lower regeneration vessel I4 is provided with a grid member or distribution plate 80 below which regenerating gas is introduced through line 92. The partition 14 forming part of the first regeneration zone or vessel I0 stops 9. short distance above the distribution plate 88 in the lower regeneration vessel I 4. It will be seen that a partition 94 is provided for separating the reaction vessel I2 from the lower regeneration vessel I4.

The lower portion of the partition 14 also forms part of the lower regeneration vessel I4. On the opposite side regeneration vessel I4 is provided with a partition 06 which extends across the vessel I4 and forms a wall for supporting or confining a body of fluidized catalyst particles as shown at having a level at I02.

The partly regenerated catalyst particles pass from the top regeneration vessel I0 through down spout I04 formed by the partition I4 and the ad- Jacent wall of the housing I 0 to the second regeneration vessel I4. The gas velocity in vessel I4 is such that the catalyst particles undergoing further regeneration in the lower regenerationvessel iii are maintained in a fluidized condition.

The regenerated catalyst particles overflow the smaller partition 96 into well I05 from which they flow into standpipe I 00 and thence to the pipe 26' above described.

The regeneration gases leaving the relatively dense catalyst mixture 08 are withdrawn through line I08 and are passed to a second separating means I08 arranged in the upper part of the housing I0 adjacent the first separating means 82. The separating means I00 is shown in the drawing a a cyclone separator but other separatin means may be used.

The regeneration gases passing through line I08 still contain entrained catalyst particles and most of these catalyst particles are separated in the separating means I08. The regeneration gases leave the separating means I 08 through line H2 and may be treated in the same manner as .those leaving the first separating means 82 through line 88.

The separated catalyst particles collect in the separating means I08 and are returned to the second regeneration vessel I4 through line II4 below the level I02 of the catalyst mixture there- Catalyst may be recovered from the regeneration gases leaving at 88 and H2 by passing through an electrostatic precipitator, or the gases may be scrubbed with liquid to recover catalyst particles therefrom.

In. Fig. 1 the overflow principle is used in both regeneration vessels I4 and I8 and the second or lower regeneration vessel I4 operates at a somewhat higher pressure in order to utilize the vessel height for building up pressure on the catalyst. It will be seen that the fluidized catalystparticles overflow partitions when leaving each of the regeneration vessels I4 and I8.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. l,

the level 22 of catalyst in the reaction vessel I2.

is fixed by the amount of catalyst in the entire unit, that is, the inventory. The rate of circulation of catalyst through the'unit is controlled by the amount and point of introduction of the conveying air. For example, for a relatively low rate of circulation a certain amount of regenerating gas is introduced through line 54. If it is desired to increase the rate of circulation, additional air may be introduced through any'or all of the lines 54, 82, 84 and 88.

The valves 32 and 48 shown in Fig. '1 are ordinarily not used for controlling the amount of catalyst passing through the lines but are merely safety shut-off valves which may be closed in case the system becomes upset.

If desired, valve 48 may be used for setting the catalyst rate either manually or automatically. Also, by omitting the overflow from the last stage of regenerationshown at I4, or by lowering the height of partition 98, valve 32 may be used for controlling the amount of regenerated catalyst being passed to the reaction vessel I2. In this latter case, the level in regenerator I4 will be set by the amount of catalyst in the system as well as by the level of catalyst maintained in the reaction vessel I2. These levels will be suitably balanced by adding or removing catalyst from the system or. unit. v

When using the overflow principle, the amount of catalyst held in the regeneration vessels I4 and I6 will be substantially uniform and excess catalyst will flow into the reaction vessel I2. The

level of catalyst in the reaction vessel l2 which affords one method of controlling the degree of reaction can be regulated by the amount of catalyst in the system or unit. Thus, if more reaction or conversion is desired, catalyst will be added to the system to build up the level of catalyst in the reaction vessel I2, and if less reaction or'conversion is desired, catalyst will be removed from the system.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the reference character I58 designates a single housing in which are contained reaction vessel I52, a lower regeneration vessel I54 and an upper regeneration vessel I58. In this form of the invention the upper regeneration vessel I58 operates on the overflow principle but the lower regeneration vessel I54 does not operate on this principle. The regenerated catalyst particles are withdrawn from the body of the catalyst mixture I58 undergoing regeneration.

' passes to line The apparatus shown in Fig. 2 is similar to that but the differences will be emphasized. The reaction vessel 'I52 has a body of fluidized catalyst particles I82 with a level I84. The bottom of the reaction vessel I52 is formed by grid member I68. Hot regenerated catalyst from standpipe I68 is passed through slide control valve I12 to line I14 where it is mixed with reactants introduced through line I18. The reactants may be in vapor or vapor-liquid mixtures. A sufflcient amount of hot regenerated catalyst is used to supply some of the heat of reaction and where the reactants are liquid, the hot regenerated catalyst also supplies heat of vaporization.

The reactants may comprise organic compounds. The invention is especially adapted for the catalytic conversion of Ydrocarbons, such as the catalytic cracking of higher boiling hydrocarbons to produce lower boiling hydrocarbons.- Other reactions may be used.

When partly preheated liquid hydrocarbons are introduced through line I18, the mixture of hot regenerated catalyst and resultant vapors are passed through line I18 into the reaction vessel I52 below the grid member I88 therein. A partition I82 is provided in the bottom portion of reaction vessel I52 to provide a well I84 from which the spent catalyst is withdrawn. Stripping gas is introduced through line I88. The stripped spent catalyst passes to standpipe I88 having a slide control valve I82. The spent catalyst then I84 where it is mixed with regenerating gas introduced through line I88 and the less dense mixture is passed through line I88 to the upper regeneration vessel I58 below grid member I88 therein.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 2, a level controller 202 is shown with suitable means 204 for controlling the control valve I82. As the level of catalyst shown at I84 varies in the reaction vessel I52, the control valve I82 is changed to maintain the level at a desired height.

The reaction products in vapor form pass through separating means 288 arranged in the upper part of the reaction vessel I52 for separating entrained catalyst particles from the reaction product vapors. The separated catalyst particles are returnedthorugh line 288 to the body of catalyst I82, preferably into the well I 84. The vapors leave the upper part of the separating means 288 and leave. the unit through 2I2 for passage Slurry oil comprising refractory oil containing catalyst particles may be introduced throughline 2 I 4 directly below valve I 12 in the lower part of standpipe I88. first contacts exceedingly hot regeneratewcatalyst and less coke is deposited on the catalyst particles than if the refractory oil were introduced with the feed oil through line I18.

In the top regeneration vessel I58 the catalyst particles are partially regenerated. While the catalyst particles are in the regeneration vessel I58, they are maintained as a fluidized mixture 2I8 having a level shown at 2I8. The catalyst particles overflow vertical partition or baffle 222 and flow into spout 224 to the lower regeneration vessel I54. Regeneration gases leaving the upper regeneration vessel I58 are passed through sepagases pass overhead through line 232.

In this way the refractory oil The lower regeneration vessel I54 has a grid member 234 spaced from the partition 2I3 and regenerating gas is introduced below the grid member through line 236. The fluidized catalyst particles in the lower regeneration vessel I 54 comprise a mass of fluidized particles 238 having a level 242. A withdrawal well 244 is formed by a vertically arranged partition or baffle 246 in the lower regeneration vessel I 54. It will be seen that the level 242 of catalyst particles is above the partition 246 and that the overflow principle is not used in this regeneration vessel I54. The regenerated catalyst particles are withdrawn from the lower portion of the body of catalyst particles 238 undergoing regeneration. From the well 244 the regenerated catalyst particles flow into standpipe I68 and then to the reaction vessel I52 as above described. Preferably the standpipe I68 is provided with fluidizing lines 248 for maintaining the catalyst particles in fluidized condition in the standpipe I68 so that they produce a hydrostatic pressure at the bottom of the standpipe.

The regeneration gases are withdrawn fromv the upper part of the lower regeneration vessel I54 and as they contain entrained catalyst particles, they are passed through line 252 into the upper part Of the housing I58 above the upper regeneration vessel I56. The regeneration gases introduced through line 252 are also passed through the separating means 226.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig, 2, valves I12 and I92 are used to control the rate of withdrawal oi catalyst from the reaction vessel I52 and the lower regeneration vessel I54. Valve I32 is used to control the level of catalyst in the reaction vessel I52. The level of catalyst in the lower reg neration vessel I54 varies with the amount of Bialystin the system andalso with changes in the level in the reaction vessel I52. In Fig. 2 the regeneration vessels I54 and I56 are operated at substantially the same pressure so that the vent gases from'both regeneration vessels may be mixed and treated in the same recovery apparatus.

If desired, a separating means, such as a cyclone separator, may be introduced into the lower regeneration vessel I54. Instead of passing all of the regenerated catalyst from the lower regeneration vessel I54 to the standpipe I68, if desired, a part of the regenerated catalyst may be withdrawn from the lower portion of the mass of catalyst 238 in the lower regeneration vessel [54, mixed with air and introduced into line I88 for recirculation to the upper regeneration vessel I56. This type of operation tends to bring the operating temperature of the two regenerators closer and upper regeneration .vessel 286. The reaction vessel 282 contains a mass of fluidized catalyst 288 having a level 282. The reaction. vessel 282 has a bottom grid member 294 and a bottom draw-oil well 296. Stripping lines 298 are provided for introducing stripping gas into the well 286. Regenerated catalyst in standpipe 382 is passed through control valve 304 and into line 386 where it ismixed with reactants, such as hydrocarbon oil, introduced through line 388. The mixture of catalyst and reactants is passed'through line 3I2. and through the grid member 294.

The reaction products in vapor form pass through separating means 3 I 4 arranged in the upper part of the reaction vessel, and separated catalyst particles are returned through line' 3I6 to the body of catalyst 288 in the reaction vessel. Reaction product vapors leave the separating means 3I4 through line 3I8 and are passed to suitable equipment, such as fractionating equipment, for separating desired product.

The spent catalyst particles are withdrawn from the well 296 through line 322 which branches into lines 324 and 326. Line 324 has a control valve 328 for controlling the amount of spent catalystpassing to line 332 where the spent catalyst is mixed with regenerating gas introduced through line 334. The less dense mixture is passed through upfiow pipe 336 to the lower regeneration vessel 284 below the grid member 338 therein.

The spent catalyst in line 326 is passed through control valve 342 to line 344 where it is mixed with regenerating gas introduced through line 346 I and the less dense mixture is passed through line 348 to the upper regenerationvessel 286 below the distribution grid 352 therein.

The catalyst particles undergoing regeneration in the lower regeneration Vessel 284 are maintained as a mass 354 having a level shown at 358. Th lower regeneration vessel 284 is separated from the upper regeneration vessel 286 by partition. 358. The regeneration gases leaving the mass of catalyst 354 in the lower regeneration vessel 284 are passed through separating means 362 having a return pipe 364. The regeneration gases leave the separating means 362 through line 366.

In the upper regeneration vessel 286 the catalyst particles undergoing regeneration are maintained as a fluidized mass shown at 312 having a level at 314. The regeneration gases leaving the fluidized mixture are passed through a separating means 316 having a return pipe 318. The regeneration gases leave the separating means 318 through line 382. The regeneration or vent gases leaving the separating means in the lower regeneration vessel 284 through line 366 are preferably at a higher pressure than the vent gases leaving the upper regeneration vessel 286' through line 382.

The regenerated catalyst particles from the upper regeneration zone or vessel-286 are passed to the lower regeneration vessel 284 through standpipe 384 whlch has its upper end approximately at the level 314 in the upper regeneration vessel 288 and its lower end above the distribution plate or grid member 338 in the lower regeneration vessel 284. Standpipe 384 may be provided with a valve, if desired. While the standpipe 384 is shown as located inside the tower or housing 288, the standpipe may extend outside the housing, and may be fltted with a valve, if desired.

The regenerated catalyst from the upper regeneration vessel 286 overflows into the stand- Pipe 384. Due to the intermixing or circulation provided by the standpipe'384. and by a proper choice 01' the distribution of catalyst flow between lines 324 and 326, the regeneration zones 2861and 284 may be operated at about the same 'temperature.

Regenerated catalyst is withdrawn from the lower regeneration vessel 284 by means of standparts and also substantially equal amounts of air or regenerating gas are used for passing the spent catalyst to the respective regeneration vessels.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the reference character 420 designates a single tower or housing which includes reaction vessel 422, lower regeneration vessel 424 and upper regeneration vessel 426. The apparatus shown in Fig. 4 is similar to that shown in Fig. 3 and the apparatus will be generally described in connection with similar parts and will be described in greater detail to point out dif- Ierenoes between the two apparatuses.

Reaction vessel 422 has a body of catalyst 428 with a level 432. The vessel 422 has a grid member 434 and a withdrawal well 436 into which stripping gas is passed through lines 438. A separating means 442 is provided having a dip pipe 444 and an outlet line 446 for reaction product vapors. Spent catalyst is withdrawn from the well 436 by means of standpipe 448 having a control valve 452. The spent catalyst is mixed withv a regenerating gas introduced through line 454 and the less dense mixture is passed through line 456 to the lower regeneration vessel 424 below .grid member 458 therein.

Lower regeneration vessel 424 has a body of catalyst 462 having a level 46.4. The regeneration vessel 424 is provided with separating means 466 having a return pipe 468 and an outlet for vent gases 412. Partition 414 separates the lower regeneration vessel 424 from the upper regeneration vessel 42-6.

A withdrawal well 416 is provided in the lower portion of the lower regeneration vessel 424 by a partition or baflle 418 and fluidized partly regenerated catalyst flows into line 482 having control valve 484. Partly regenerated catalyst passing through valve 484 is'mixed with regenerating gas introduced through line 486 and the mixture passed through line 486 to the upper regeneration vessel 426 below grid member 492 therein.

' The catalyst in the upper regeneration vessel 426 is in a fluidized condition as shown at 494 having a level at 496. The upper regeneration vessel 426 has a separating means 498 provided with a return pipe 502 and an outlet 504 for vent or regeneration gases.

The upper regeneration vessel 426 has a Withdrawal well 586- formed by partition 508 for withdrawing regenerated catalyst particles from the lower portion of the mass of catalyst particles 494. The regenerated catalyst particles flow into standpipe 5|2 wherein they are maintainedin a fluidized condition by the introduction of fluidizing gas through lines 5 arranged at spaced ture during regeneration in the two vessels 424 and 426 is maintained substantially the same.

The vent gases from the regeneration vessels shown in Figs. 3 and 4 may be cooled and passed through electrostatic precipitators as described in' connection with Fig. 1. Or the vent gases may be scrubbed with a scrubbing liquid, such as oil or water, for removing entrained catalyst particles therefrom. a

In the case of down spouts I04, 384, etc., and dip pipes 84, 318, etc., it is preferred to omit the holes in the distributor plate immediately below the down spout or dip pipe.

The apparatus shown in the drawings may be applied to various catalytic reactions, such as cracking, retreating, dehydrogenation, aromatization, etc. Other processes involving the reaction of organic compounds other than hydrocarbons may also be used.

The grid members disclosed in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive will now be described.

In present fluid catalyst plants the grid member in the bottom of the reaction vessel is horizontal and is located at the top of the lower cone of the reactor or regenerator. With large diameters and severe operating conditions the problem of supporting the grid is quite diflicult. The 7 the holes in the grid member.

In Fig. 5 I have shown the lower portion of a vessel which is not an exact duplicate of the reaction vessel shown in Fig. 1 but is substantially the same as some of the vessels shown in the other figures. The vessel 548 has a line 542 for withdrawing catalyst in a relatively-dense condition. This corresponds to the well I84 in Fig. 2.

intervals along the standpipe 5I2. The standpipe is provided with a control valve 516 at its lower end for controlling the rate of flow of regenerated catalyst particles to line 5l8. Reactants in vapor or liquid form are introduced into line 5l8 through line 522 and the mixture is passed through grid member 434 into the reaction ves- The grid member 544 corresponds to the grid member I66 in Fig.2. Inlet 546 corresponds to the inlet I18 in Fig. 2. In order to provide a sealing means for the edge of the grid member 544, I provide a ring 548 which is attached to the edge of grid member 544 and forms a flange therefor. The ring is concentric with the vessel and extends to a point abov the cone bottom 552 as shown at 554. Another ring 556, smaller in diameter, is attached to and extends upwardly from the cone bottom 552 to a level below that of the grid member 544. The rings 548 and 556 provide a well 558 for holding a fluidized powdered material which acts as a seal. The fluidized powdered material in well 558 has a level 559. The fluidized powdered material is part of the fluidized mixture, generally indicated at 568. Aerating lines 562 and 564 are provided for introducing an aerating gas into the sealing well 558.

Ring 548 is provided with an opening 566 near its lower end and smaller ring 556 is provided with an opening 568 near its lower end. These holes are provided to minimize or eliminate the aeration through lines 562 and 564. The openings 566 and 568 may be omitted if desired.

Supporting members 516 and 512 are shown' for supporting the grid member from the coneand 512 are secured at one end to bottom 552 by pins or the like as shown at 514. The other ends of members 510 and 512 are secured to the grid member 544 at spaced points.

' A simpler construction is shown in Fig. 6 wherein the vessel 580 is provided with the same type of sealing means 582 described in connection with Fig. 5. A bottom inlet 584 for gas or gaseous suspension is provided. In this form of the invention the grid takes the form of an inverted perforated cone 586 placed inside and spaced from the bottom cone 588 of the vessel 580. The bottom portion 590 01 the cone 586 is imperforate. The perforated cone 586 is supported from the bottom cone 588 of the reaction vessel by bolts .592, o other members.

The vessel contains a fluidized mixture generally indicated at 594. As the outer openings 596 in the perforated cone member 586 are at a higher level than the inner openings 598, the fluid head or hydrostatic pressure above the outer holes 596 will be'less than that over the inner holes 598. Therefore, if the holes were all of the same size and equally spaced, there would be a tendency for more gas to pass through the outer holes 596. However, by properdesign, this tendency can be corrected as, for example, the number of holes per square foot of cross-sectional area may be decreased where the static head or pressure is lower or the size of the holes can be reduced at the outer portions of the cone member to give the desired distribution of flow. The fluidized material in the sealing well has a level 599.

The modification shown in Fig.7 is substantially the same as that shown in, Fig. 6 except that a bottom drawoflf tube 600 is provided in the vessel 602 for withdrawing dense fluidized solid material 604 from the vessel 602. Inlet lines 606 are provided for introducing gas or 'gaseous suspension below the grid member 608 which is similar to that shown in Fig. 6 with the central portion cut away to permit introduction of the with-' drawal tube 600. Also the vessel has a bottom outlet 6l0. I

In Fig. 8 the vessel 6|! has a-bottom inlet 6. Th grid member 6| 6 is in the form of distribution rings. The larger upper ring H8 is provided with a plurality of openings 620 and is arranged to rest on the upper portion of the bottom cone 622 of the vessel H2. The next lower ring 624 is smaller andrests on the bottom cone 622 of vessel H2 at a lower level. The smaller ring 624- is also provided with a plurality of openings 626.

The gas or gaseous suspension introduced through line 6 l 4 passes upwardly through line 628 to the lower ring member 624 and then through pipe 630 to the upper. ring member 618. The gas or gaseous suspension passes through openings 620 and 626 in the ring members.

Instead of the distributing means shown in Figs. 5 to 8, a plurality of perforated tubes generally parallel to the bottom cone of the vessel may be used for distributing. gaseous fluids to the bottom of the vessel.

When the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive is used for catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons, the temperature during conversion may be between about 750 F. and 1100 F. and the catalyst to oil ratio by weight when using powdered synthetic silica alumina gel catalyst (200- 400 mesh) may vary from about 1 part of catalyst to 1 part of oil to 30 parts of catalyst to 1 part of 011, depending on the temperature of the oil, the amount of conversion desired, the activity of the catalyst, etc. The temperature during regeneration is about 1000 F. to 1175 F. depending on the catalyst used.

While I have shown several modifications of my invention, it is to be understood that these are by way of illustration only and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention,

I claim:

1. A process for contacting solid particles with gaseous fluid which comprisesintroducing fluid and solid particles into a contacting zone, maintaining the particles in said contacting zone in fluidized condition, withdrawing solid particles from the bottom portion of said contacting zone andpassing gaseous fluid overhead from said contacting zone, mixing portions of withdrawn solid particles with separate streams of regenerating gas and passing the separate streams to separate regeneration vessels arranged one above the other in the same housing which contains saidcontacting zone, passing solid particles from an upper regeneration zone to a lower regeneration zone and then to said contacting zone.

2. A process according to claim 1 wherein the solid particles are maintained in a relatively-dense fluidized condition in each of said regenerating zones and the solid particles are withdrawn from each of said zones as a relatively dense fluidized mixture.

CHARLES E. JAHNIG.

REFERENCES .CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED. STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,770,107 Kulzinski July 8, 1930 1,851,069 Thayer Mar. 29. 1932 2,014,941 Lee Sept. 17, 1935 2,270,903 Rudbach 'Jan. 27, 1942 2,304,128 Thomas Dec. 8, 1942 2,311,564 Munday Feb. 16, 1943 2,273,076 Voorhees Feb. 17, 1942 2,331,433 Simpson et a1. Oct. 12, 1943 2,341,193 Scheineman Feb. 8, 1944 2,353,495 Payne July 11, 1944 2,367,281 Johnson Jan. 16, 1945 2,372,018 Ruthruflf Mar. 20, 1945 Alther Nov. 20, 1945 

